The main task of Axis forces within Operation
Südwind was to eliminate the bridgehead in the west bank of Hron River
near the town of túrovo.

The attack began on 17th February 1945, at 4.00 a.m. after two
hours´ long artillery bombardment. RGD HuD attacked the positions of
Soviet forces in the sector around villages of Fyr and Ker. This part
of Soviet defense position was strongly held by 6th Airborne Division.
RGD HuD suffered heavy casualties but Soviets were defeated in this
sector and the Division advanced toward the village of Maïarský Sedlín
and the village of Nemecký Sedlín which were in a short time in the
hands of German units. 46th Infantry Division in the centre of the attack
surprised the Soviet units and reached the Paris Channel. 211th Volks
Grenadier Division attacked from the area near the village of Ke toward
the village of Bruty. At this part of operational area Soviets carried
out a counterattack and the advance of one part of the Division was
stopped. 1st SS Tank Corps followed the first line units of 46th Infantry
Division with its medium and heavy tanks and tank destroyers (Pz V Panther,
Pz VI Tiger B and Jg Pz IV). 1st SS Tank Division LAH was divided
into two parts. The Infantry Group under the command of Obr.st.für.
M. Hansen deployed northerly from the village of Kuralany. The Tank
Group under the command of Ober.st.für J. Peiper deployed in the southeast
from the village of Farná supported by 501st Heavy Tank Abteilung of
Obr.st.für. Von Westernhagen (19 tanks Pz VI Tiger B). Units of Waffen
SS began their attack early in the morning. In a short time the Waffen
SS units captured the wilderness called Seres and in the middle of day
linked combat units of 46th Infantry Division. Soviets bombarded the
advance of the Division and Waffen SS units by mortars but without avail.
In front of the village of Nemecký Sedlín the tanks of 1st SS Tank Division
were surprised by Soviet anti-tank ambush. The German heavy tanks used
the cover of terrain and seized the hill over the village and one by
one destroyed all Soviet anti-tank guns. For the time being the Infantry
Group of 1st SS Tank Division LAH supported the attack of 46th Infantry
Division and together forced the Soviet units to retreat. The road toward
the Paris Channel was opened. The Soviets damaged all bridges across
the channel and the advance of German units in this sector was slowed.
Nevertheless the German units were able to across the Channel till the
nightfall. 12th SS Tank Division began its attack in the afternoon deploying
its forces in the west from 1st SS Tank Division. The attack was successful
because the unit captured area near the Paris Channel and built up the
small bridgehead in the south part of the Channel´s bank. At 11 p.m.
German units controlled two smaller bridgeheads in the south part of
the Paris Channel´s bank and in the northeast their also found a ford
which was used by German Tanks to cross the Channel.